History

Organisation Todt, abbreviated OT, was a paramilitary construction organisation named after its founder, Fritz Todt. It was founded in 1938 and became well-known for its construction projects in Germany and German-occupied areas during the war, including the Siegfried Line (Westwall) and the Atlantic Wall. Only a comparatively small number of OT labourers were uniformed and salaried German nationals, while large numbers during the war years were made up of forced labourers, including Jews and other “undesirables”, as well as prisoners of war.

Members of OT were to wear uniforms distinct from other Third Reich paramilitary organisations. However, due to problems with availability, they de facto often wore a mixture of different uniform patterns, including uniform parts from other organisations.

Shoulder straps were worn by OT Führer (leader) ranks (Company Grade Officer ranks equivalent), OT Unterführer (lower leader) ranks (NCO ranks equivalent), and OT Enlisted Men, but not by OT Stabsführer (Field Grade Officers ranks equivalent) or Higher OT Leaders (General ranks equivalent).

Similar to the shoulder straps used by the German Army, the ones worn by members of OT were piped in different colours, depending on the wearer’s branch. The colours are green for administration (Verwaltung); yellow for signals (Nachrichtenwesen); brown for propaganda; blue for medical (Sanitätswesen). For black, red, and white piping there exists conflicting information. More research is needed.

Specialized members may have worn certain career-indicating pips with their shoulder straps. These may increase the price.

The shoulder straps of the OT Haupttruppführer (Technical/Administrative) and OT Sanitätshaupttruppführer (Medical) are brown with a silver-coloured vertical stripe along the middle, and two gold-coloured pips.